Fly Fishing Southwest Washington with Jackson Golik - Cowlitz River, Coho Salmon, Steelhead

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/689 

Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Togiak River Lodge

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors  

In this episode, we journey to fly fishing southwest Washington with expert guide Jackson Golik. Known for its impressive steelhead and salmon populations, this region offers anglers a unique experience that rivals the more renowned rivers along the West Coast.

Jackson takes us on an exploration of the famous steelhead rivers such as the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis. Discover the charm of these waters and learn how to optimize your fishing trips by timing them precisely and avoiding the bustling crowds. Jackson also shares his insider tips for surface and subsurface steelhead techniques, alongside strategies for hooking coho salmon—often thought of as exclusive to Alaska.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the southwest Washington fly fishing scene and get ready to plan your next adventure in this often-overlooked fishing paradise.

Episode Chapters with Jackson Golik on Fly Fishing Southwest Washington

4:46 - Jackson shares how he got into fly fishing. He was born into the fly fishing world, as his father guided on the Bow River in Calgary. He became familiar with the industry early on and worked as a shop assistant at the Greased Line, a renowned fly shop in Vancouver, Washington. The Greased Line, which operated for about 42 years, is noted as one of the oldest fly shops in the Pacific Northwest, having started in the late 1970s.

7:01 - He tells about that time when he was introduced to Simon Gawesworth, a significant figure in the fly fishing world. This connection led to an opportunity for Jackson to work as Simon's assistant for about six months at RIO, where he handled fly line box modifications and managed their social media.

12:10 - We discuss fishing in Southwest Washington, focusing on popular rivers like the Cowlitz, Lewis, and Kalama. Jackson highlights the prolific hatchery fishery in the Kalama, but notes that rivers with more wild genetics offer opportunities for larger fish. We also touch on salmon fishing, particularly for silvers, coho, and spring chinook.

15:25 - Jackson describes coho fishing as similar to bass fishing, using heavy sink tips and flies, with the fishing done from a boat near structures like wood. The season for coho starts in early September and typically lasts through October into early November, although it's dependent on rainfall.

For chinook, the peak season is around Labor Day weekend, with the best fish being bright and high-quality. Jackson notes some rivers have late runs of Chinook, like the Lewis and Sandy rivers, which receive a small run of bright fish around late November to early December.

21:16 - We explore the state of steelhead fishing in Southwest Washington compared to the Olympic Peninsula. Jackson notes that while the OP rivers have experienced closures, the Southwest Washington rivers have remained consistently open, though they receive less publicity.

26:40 - We ask him about winter steelhead fishing in November and December. Jackson recommends focusing on rivers with consistent hatchery plants for better chances, specifically mentioning the Washougal River, known for its strong Skamania stock fish and challenging whitewater conditions.

30:11 - In fishing the Washougal River during winter, Jackson mentions using heavy sink tips and typical winter flies such as leeches, with T-14 being a common choice for getting closer to the fish. Jackson notes that while the Washougal River also has good runs of summer fish, the approach varies, with summer steelhead sometimes eating dry flies.

31:50 - We briefly talk about the impact of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption on the Toutle River system. Jackson shares that he wrote a paper in college about the logging that happens in the Toutle system, highlighting the management strategy of continually raising the dam to contain sediment.

34:08 - We talk about the Cowlitz River, known for its heavy planting of hatchery steelhead, which makes it a prime location for fishing, especially if you're looking to take home fish to eat.

36:23 - Jackson owns a 1979 fiberglass Avro boat and a smaller Aire puma boat, which is about 11.5 feet long. He appreciates the fiberglass boat for its quietness and durability, noting that it can be easily repaired and modified with fiberglass and epoxy.

38:21 - We dig into steelhead fishing on the Kalama River during peak season, from mid-February to late April. He shares strategies for dealing with crowded conditions, such as knowing familiar faces and sections of the river preferred by frequent fishermen. Timing is crucial; sometimes it's better to fish later in the day when conditions improve.

43:30 - Jackson mentions that the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis rivers are accessible, with numerous put-ins and take-outs available, making them great fisheries. He highlights the Kalama River, which stretches about 60 to 70 miles and originates from an aquifer, offering a long drainage.

45:19 - We discuss steelhead fishing in the region around Battle Ground, which is near the East Fork of the Lewis River, known for its historical record of large fish, specifically a 38-pound steelhead caught in the 1980s. Although the gene pool for such large fish has diminished, there are still opportunities to catch steelhead in the 20-pound range.

47:40 - Jackson highlights the Cowlitz as the best for swinging flies due to its consistent fish population, akin to salmon fishing, where fish arrive reliably mid-February each year. However, it faces heavy fishing pressure, both from conventional and fly fishers, with a significant number of boats and guides present, given the river's substantial hatchery support.

49:09 - Jackson mentions that the Lewis River has a program that supports natural spawning of wild steelhead, which has improved the run size over the past decade, attracting more anglers. Despite the predominance of wild fish, the presence of a few brood stock fish allows for some to be kept. The river is becoming busier with more anglers due to these improvements.

The Kalama River, on the other hand, is known for drift boat and raft fishing, making it more competitive due to its smaller size. Anglers there often have to strategically time their fishing to avoid overcrowding and maximize their chances of catching fish. Jackson notes that the fishing dynamics in Southwest Washington are varied, with different runs and genetic variations of fish occurring throughout the year.

51:17 - Jackson recommends several local clubs and shops as valuable sources of information. He mentions the Salmon Creek Fly Fishers and the Clark Skamania clubs, highlighting their extensive knowledge due to longstanding members. Additionally, he suggests the Portland Fly Shop as a prime resource, noting that most staff have guided in the area and have considerable expertise.

52:38 - He shares his recent fishing experience on the Kanektok River, describing it as epic for Chinook fishing. We also talk about other notable locations for Chinook runs in Alaska, emphasizing the thrill of swinging flies for kings.

55:54 - Jackson expresses interest in a trip to Sudan for fishing Giant Trevally and Triggerfish, although plans changed due to the war, opting instead for an opportunity in Alaska.

58:24 - We ask Jackson for tips for a successful steelhead fishing. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in casting, advising beginners to focus on achieving a consistent casting distance and angle to increase their chances of success. He suggests that 40 feet of running line is typically sufficient. Consistency in fishing technique, rather than the number of fish caught, determines a good fishing day. He also recommends using longer leaders and heavier flies to ensure the fly sinks quickly.

1:05:14 - We quickly ask about his music preference. Jackson uses Spotify to listen to indie rock, describing it as having a synth tone and a slower tempo.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/689